Cheshire Independent Issue 207

3 NOVEMBER 2025 Visit our website: www.independentnewspapers.co.uk To advertise call Robin Atkins on 07767 840274 AN event held in Congle- ton designed to help par- ents support their children through the challenges of adolescence in today’s dig- ital age has been hailed a success by organisers. Hosted by Congleton Town Council’s White Ribbon Group, in partnership with Cheshire Police and Visyon, the evening provided expert advice and real-life perspec- tives on issues such as social media, online safety, respect- ful relationships, and men- tal health. The ‘Growing Up Wired’ event took place at Congle- ton Town Hall and speakers included Sergeant Andy Cor- nall from Cheshire Police, who delivered practical guid- ance on keeping young people safe online. The town council’s chief officer and White Ribbon ambassador, David McGifford, welcomed around 50 people to the Bridestones Suite at the town hall. Kay Wesley, who chairs the town council’s community committee and who is a White Ribbon champion, said: “Some of the negative attitudes our children encounter are not new, but the difference is that now they are immersed in them 24/7 – at school, on the bus, in their bedroom at night, always present on their phones. “Bad actors are using social media channels to exploit vul- nerable young people, and this is why we have brought together experts to help us share experiences and explore ways to keep our youngsters safe and help them thrive.” Congleton Sixth Form College students, Barney Mitcheson and Harriet Wor- thington, described some of the pressures they and their friends had been under grow- ing up. And some of the harmful content and influences young people might be exposed to were presented by PC Andy Cornall, youth engagement officer for Cheshire Police. Parents’ evening meets challenges Guidance: The Growing UpWired event (Photo credit: Congleton Town Council) POLICE have spear- headed a major crack- down on illegal products, money laundering and immigration crime with raids on retailers across Cheshire East. The raids saw police and trading standards officers swoop on six commercial premises across Maccles- field, Sandbach, Congleton and Alsager. They seized quantities of illegal products, including vapes, tobacco and counter- feit toys. Officers from Cheshire Police’s Protecting Vulnera- ble People Exploitation team took part in the operation, supported by members of its Foreign National Offender (FNO) Unit. The raids took place on October 14 and were part of ‘Operation Machinize’. Launched by the National Crime Agency, Machinize is an ongoing coordinated operation that aims to tack- ling money laundering, the criminal use of cash-in- tensives in high street businesses and immigra- tion crime. Police say the street value of the products seized is estimated to be around £25,000. A 32-year-old man from Macclesfield was also arrested on suspicion of modern-day slavery offences. Detective Inspector Mar- tin Caldwell, of Cheshire’s Protective Vulnerable People Retailers raided in major crime crackdown Haul: Specialist tobacco detection dog Mostyn took part in the operation (Photo credit: Cheshire Police) AN intrepid Macclesfield nurse has successfully scaledMount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, in memory of her late mother. Donna took on the chal- lenge to raise funds for Mac- clesfield Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED), where she works. The 52-year-old sister and training facilitator has worked in the department for 25 years. She said: “This was without question the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. “The days before summit night had already left me exhausted and cold. And after eight days on the mountain, with little sleep and hours of walking every day, every part of me was sorely tested. “At 10pm on the final night we set off into the pitch-black on our final push for the sum- mit. Near the top I was very much running on fumes and without my incredible guides there’s no chance I’d have made it. “At one point all I wanted to do was lie down in the cold and have a nap, which isn’t exactly a great survival strategy at 5,000m. And at nearly every corner we saw someone heading down, or worse being taken down, and the rescue helicopters were practically running an Uber service up there. “After more than ten hours of solid climbing I finally staggered to Stella Point at 8.36am, which is one the three recognised summits on Kilimanjaro. “And of course, after ten hours of dragging myself uphill, I discovered the cruel punchline of mountaineering, what goes up must also come down, and four hours later I crawled back into base camp only to be told we had another seven hours to go to descend to 3,000m for the night. At that point, my legs were filing a formal complaint! “I’m so glad, and slightly shocked, that I’ve done it, but let me say clearly, never again. Once is enough!” Donna has led the ED’s education programme for the past nine years and her epic climb has so far raised £1,800, smashing the origi- nal target of £1,500, towards training resources and High point: Donna on her Kilimanjaro adventure (Photo credit: East Cheshire NHS Trust) Donna’s peak performance! NEWS IN BRIEF MACCLESFIELD MP Tim Roca held a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) ‘Listening event’ to hear directly from parents and carers about their experience of the support system and their ideas for change. WILMSLOW’S new police station is leading the way as one of the most energy-efficient in the country. It is the only one nationally, and the first public building in Cheshire, to achieve the international Passivhaus design standard. THE mayor of Macclesfield’s Christmas Wreath Workshops will take place on Friday December 5 at Townley Hall. There will be an afternoon and evening session. Tickets are £25 and cash raised will go towards Friends of Park Lane Special school and Cardiac Risk in the Young. Booking is through the Eventbrite website. THE iconic arch at the entrance to Wilmslow’s Carrs Park has been rededicated and blessed at a special service. The ceremony at the Boddington Arch marked the 100th anniversary of the park being gifted to the people of Wilmslow. development opportunities for her colleagues. But the challenge was also a very personal one for Donna. She said: “I took on Kiliman- jaro in memory of my wonder- ful mum, as a tribute to her. “She would have been incredibly proud to see me take on something like this and I carried her memory with me every step of the way, especially in the hard- est moments. She was always my biggest supporter, and the climb was for her.” Exploitation team, said: “We and our community partners work very hard to tackle those attempting to sell illicit products in Cheshire. “While many businesses across Cheshire East are operating within the law, we have seen that there are a those few who think they can get away with it.” As operation earlier in the month looking to tar- get organised immigration crime saw three people in Congleton arrested. Involv- ing police and immigration officers, it was also part of Operation Machinize. Officers visited two car washes in the town leading to the arrest of three men, one aged 33 and two aged 39, on suspicion of modern slav- ery offences. The trio have since been released on bail. In addition, four other men were also arrested by immigration officers and a number of items were seized, including a car, several mobile phones and a quan- tity of cash. Police say that following the visits, the owners of the car washes are likely to face significant fines of up to £45,000 per illegal worker. Detective Constable Dom- inic Rogers, of the Eastern Area Protecting Vulnerable People Unit said: “While the vast majority of businesses in Congleton are operating legitimately, there are some who exploit the most vulner- able people in order to make financial gains. “Those involved in such activities often have links to drug trafficking and distribu- tion, organised immigration crime, modern slavery and human trafficking, which is why we are committed to doing all we can to identify those involved.”